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Leading Cannabis Tech and Finance Conference New West Summit Has Been Acquired by CNS Equity Partners
New West Summit's Executive Director, Jim McAlpine, to join CNS Equity Partners' AURA Ventures as President, further solidifying partnership

SAN FRANCISCO, July 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New West Summit, a premier cannabis conference focusing on the disruptive developments in technology, science, media and investment in the cannabis space, today announced that it has been acquired by CNS Equity Partners, a private equity and consulting firm, and affiliate of AURA Ventures. As part of the agreement, Jim McAlpine, Executive Director of New West Summit, will remain in that role, while joining AURA Ventures as President of the company.

CNS Equity Partners provides financial and business management strategy expertise for high-growth companies in the alternative medicine, holistic health and agriculture industries, while New West Summit is known for attracting global top-level investors, entrepreneurs, thought-leaders, innovative brand developers and creators.

"Within the CNS portfolio, and through AURA Venture Funds and AURA creative consulting firm, we are working strategically with holistic health and wellness brands who are already thriving in their current jurisdictions and transitioning them into global brands," said Jennifer Sanders, CEO of CNS Equity Partners and co-founder of AURA Ventures. "We are thrilled to bring Jim McAlpine on as President of AURA, solidifying what began as an organic partnership. New West Summit is one of the most respected conferences in the cannabis space, and adding that event to our platform will serve to further support and develop our brands."

AURA as a creative firm will only be accepting five clients for 2018, New West Summit being one of them. "Companies must have an authentic focus on corporate responsibility and social philanthropy," said Sanders. "They have to be making emerging or exciting products in the holistic health space."

"Jennifer and I have been working on bringing New West Summit and CNS/AURA together for quite some time now," said Jim McAlpine, Executive Director of New West Summit and President of AURA Ventures. "I couldn't be more excited to join the AURA team while taking New West Summit to the next level."

New West Summit will be hosted in Oakland, California, October 11 – 13, 2018. Sir Richard Branson, English business magnate, investor, author and philanthropist, has served as key note speaker for the past two years. This year's keynote speakers, panels and entertainment will be announced later this month.

About CNS Equity Partners™ 
CNS Equity Partners™ is a dynamic private equity and risk management firm principled around virtue-based investment strategies. The firm actively acquires and manages assets within the holistic health and alternative agriculture industries as well as facilitates due diligence for its clients. With CNS, certain investors may place strategic investments in companies, brands, and franchises in markets across the U.S. and Canada.

About AURA Ventures
AURA Ventures™ (AURA) is a private creative management and strategic advisory firm based in the United States, which has global operations and exposure. AURA has forged dynamic partnerships with industry leaders through its mission to create and redefine exceptional companies by providing turn-key consulting, experiential marketing, and event production services. AURA specializes in philanthropic and corporate brand management, event management, and talent management.

About New West Summit
Founded in 2014, New West Summit is the first conference to focus exclusively on the game-changing developments in technology, science, media and investment within the Cannabis space. With over 100 exhibitors, 50 panels, 150 speakers, Investment Symposium, Career Fair, Hack-A-Thon, and more, we bring together the best and brightest international entrepreneurs, thought leaders, top-level investors, innovative brand developers and creators to take a deep look the future of the industry.

Media Contact
Jennifer Price
E: 198274@email4pr.com
T: 609-638-2558

SOURCE New West Summit